The kinsmen of the embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti—Uduaghan in the Ochiga—Ihima community in Kogi State yesterday demanded that an independent investigative body or a court of law investigate the issue between her and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The lawmaker’s kinsmen opined that the Senate Ethics Committee has lost its credibility to objectively handle the matter, noting that,” the odds are heavily stacked against Natasha”.
The people in a statement signed by the secretary of Ochiga- Ihima Descendants Union, Alhaji Abdul- Aziz Sani added that :” The verdict of ‘guilty as charged’ is the probable outcome. Hence, an independent investigative body or court will best guarantee fair hearing and credible adjudication”.
They made copies of the statement available to newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s kinsmen, while calling for unconditional lifting of the six-month suspension slammed on her, posited that:” To cajole Natasha to apologise to Akpabio or the Assembly in exchange for lifting her six months suspension is not justice. We expect the Assembly to introspect, look inward in order to protect her collective public/ international image. ”
” The six months suspension should be lifted without precondition. Natasha ‘s offence of objecting to relocating her to another seat without her prior knowledge should not attract a capital punishment that denies the good people of Kogi Central Senatorial District their due representation in the National Assembly,” they added.
The people, who assured Natasha of their support, however called on President Bola Tinubu and Kogi State governor, Ahmed Ododo to intervene in Natasha/ Akpabio ‘s imbroglio.
They also called on the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to restore Natasha’s security cover without delay, ” to ensure her safety and unnecessary exposure to the antics of mischief makers, enemies and detractors.”
Passing a vote of confidence on Natasha, the people said: ” We repose absolute confidence and trust in Distinguished Senator Natasha to do all that’s humanly possible at all times in all situations. She’s our daughter of destiny. Ochiga- Ihima are reputed for high sense of discipline, public service and philanthropy. Distinguished Senator Natasha we are all, without exception, with you in prayers to Almighty God for your protection, safety, good health, strength and divine guidance of God to grant you the grace to overcome all challenges ahead of you.”
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